By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent’s October council meeting was a time for goodbyes.
That’s because municipal clerk Judy Shantz and seven councillors are leaving the municipal horseshoe.
Shantz, who will retire following the Oct. 26 municipal election she’s overseeing, was given a standing ovation from council.
The veteran government worker was feted by way of a letter from Ridgetown’s Jim Brown, who was part of a team that hired her more than three decades ago to work for Ridgetown.
“We made a wise choice as can be attested to your promotions and positions held following amalgamation with Chatham-Kent,” Canniff stated as he read Brown’s letter.
Deputy chief administrative officer Dave Taylor also thanked Shantz for her “fantastic contributions” to the community.
“She’s been a vital member of the team for 36 years,” he said, noting it’s the fifth election Shantz has overseen on her watch.
Mayor Darrin Canniff acknowledged the work of the seven councillors leaving office with plaques of recognition.
“Anyone who has served on council knows the number of years only tells a small part of the story,” Canniff said prior to the presentation. “The job comes with a tremendous commitment of time and energy. It means being available to residents, attending countless community events, reading hundreds of pages of reports, making difficult decisions and sometimes hearing very clearly from people when they disagree with those decisions. But each of you stepped up because you wanted to serve your community and make Chatham-Kent a better place.”
All told, the seven councillors represent 54 years of service to the community. They include South Kent councillors Trevor Thompson and Ryan Doyle with 12 and four years respectively; Wallaceburg’s Carmen McGregor with 12 years, and Aaron Hall with eight; North Kent’s Jamie McGrail with eight years; East Kent’s John Wright, also with eight years, and the ward’s Morena McDonald with two years. McDonald joined council after Steve Pinsonneault vacated his seat to run as MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
McGregor was absent from the meeting.
The next iteration of council will see the number drop from 18 to 15, inclusive of a mayor.
